In addition to a [[term limit]] that prevents a Governor from succeeding himself for more than one additional term (i.e. two term maximum), Alabama has an unusual provision that forbids a sitting governor from seeking another state or U.S. Senate office, or from seeking the same within one year of leaving office. [[Article V, Alabama Constitution#Section 116|(§ 116)]].

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In addition to a [[term limit]] that prevents a governor from succeeding himself for more than one additional term (i.e. two term maximum), Alabama has an unusual provision that forbids a sitting governor from seeking another state office or serving in the U.S. Senate within one year of leaving office. [[Article V, Alabama Constitution#Section 116|(§ 116)]].

Contents

The Governor of the State of Alabama is an elected Constitutional officer, the head of the Executive branch, and the highest state office in Alabama. The Governor is popularly elected every four years by a simple majority and is limited to two terms. Alabama's original Constitution, from 1819, made the gubernatorial term of office two years. The 1901 Constitution extended the term to four years and, after Amendment 282 was passed in 1968, allowed a Governor to succeed himself once.

Current officeholder

The 53rd and current governor of Alabama is Robert J. Bentley, a Republican. Bentley took office in January 2011, after winning the seat in the November 2010 midterms.

Before becoming governor, Bentley served in the Alabama House of Representatives and as a founding partner and president of Alabama Dermatological Associates. He also served as a captain in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1971. Bentley earned a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Alabama and an M.D. from the Medical College of Alabama. His wife, Dianne Bentley, is the First Lady of Alabama.

Qualifications

The governor may not hold any federal or state office in Alabama concurrently with his gubernatorial term. Additionally, the governor must be at least 30 years old, an American citizen for at least ten years on the date of the election, and a resident of Alabama for at least seven years.

The governor, lieutenant governor, attorney-general, state auditor, secretary of state, state treasurer, superintendent of education, commissioner of agriculture and industries, elected after the ratification of this Constitution, shall hold their respective offices for the term of four years from the first Monday after the second Tuesday in January next succeeding their election, and until their successors shall be elected and qualified.

The governor and lieutenant governor shall each be at least thirty years of age when elected, and shall have been citizens of the United States ten years and resident citizens of this state at least seven years next before the date of their election.

Elections

Per [[Article V, Alabama Constitution#Section 114}Section 114]] of the state constitution, Alabama elects governors during federal midterm election years (e.g. 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2018). Article V, Alabama Constitution#Section 116 sets the governor's inauguration for the first Monday after the second Tuesday in the January following an election. Thus, January 11, 2011 and January 9, 2015 are inaugural days.

Term limits

In addition to a term limit that prevents a governor from succeeding himself for more than one additional term (i.e. two term maximum), Alabama has an unusual provision that forbids a sitting governor from seeking another state office or serving in the U.S. Senate within one year of leaving office. (§ 116).

Vacancies

In the event that the elected Governor is unable to complete her term, the Lieutenant Governor of Alabama succeeds the Governor and has the same full powers as the elected Governor. The Lieutenant Governor also becomes "Acting Governor" at any time when the elected Governor is unable to discharge the office for 20 consecutive days, yet does not vacate the office. Because Alabama elects her Governor and Lieutenant Governor on separate tickets, it is theoretically possible for the governorship of the state to change parties without an election occurring.

Any two other Constitutional officers, excluding the individual who would succeed the Governor, may also file a affidavit with the Alabama Supreme Court to the effect that sitting governor is of unsound mind, in which case the Supreme Court shall hear testimony and deliver a verdict.

Duties

The governor is responsible for upholding the Alabama Constitution and executing state law. The governor also is commander-in-chief of the state's military forces (the Alabama Army National Guard and Alabama Air National Guard, which are part of the National Guard of the United States, and the Alabama State Defense Force, which is the State Defense Forces). As commander-in-chief the governor may call out the state's military forces preserve the public peace when it is not in active service of the United States.

At least once every legislative session, the governor is required to deliver an address to the Alabama Legislature, referred to as the "State of the State Address," regarding the condition and operation of the state government and to suggest new legislation.

Other duties and privileges of the office include:

seeing that all laws of the state are faithfully executed

ordering reports from other executive officers and from the managers of state institutions

convening extraordinary sessions of the legislature

presenting a budget for the state to the legislature

remitting fines and forfeitures and granting reprieves, paroles, commutations of sentence and pardons

exercising a veto over bills, including appropriation bills, from the legislature